"Stephen Goldin - Herds" - читать интересную книгу автора (Goldin Stephen)

from the races we are observing is in the best interest of the
Herd. If they don't know we exist, they can't become jealous of
our abilities or greedy for our world and possessions. That was
one of the reasons why mind projection was selected over other
means of Exploration. You yourself have agreed to the principle
of secrecy on numerous occasions."
 "Yes, but every general rule must have exceptions."

"That's possibly true," Rettin nodded. "But I can't bring
myself to believe that this is one of them. Even this argument is
futile, since we couldn't communicate with these beings even if
we wanted to."

"But…" Garnna started to protest. The Coordinator walked
over to him and put a hand on his back, gently escorting him to
the door.

"Don't concern yourself too much with the affairs of these
aliens," he said. "You said yourself that their civilization had
advanced to a highly technical level. If they can attain that, then
they must have some system for detecting and punishing
wrongdoers. They couldn't have lasted this long if they hadn't.
Why not trust them to rule their own affairs? Surely their entire
civilization will not fall because of this one act, however tragic it
may be.

"Now you have experienced a very horrifying situation. You
are no doubt in a state of shock. Go home and relax in the
security of your ifl-group. Let them ease the anguish you feel in
your mind. Eat, drink, copulate. I'm sure that by tomorrow
morning you'll see things in the proper perspective again." He
gave the Explorer a gentle shove out into the corridor and
returned to the business on his desk.

Garnna stood alone in the hallway for several minutes, biting
his lip. Then finally he turned and went out the door to go home.


CHAPTER IV
He was awakened by the sound of heavy panting alongside his
ear. He knew who was making the sound even without opening
his eyes. It was the old Irish setter that belong d to Phil Lizzuco,
one of tbe boys at the commune. Before coming to the
commune, Phi! had called th • dog Big Red, but that name h~.d
sec ed terribly middk-c'ass to the other residents and so, over
Phil's strained objections, they had had a rechristening party
and given the dog an equivalent name that was more in keeping
with the commune's spirit—Chairman Mao. The dog didn't
mind; he'd answer to anything, as long as there was food to be
called to.